Third grade is now complete and Jonah is headed into fourth, but there are many of us parents from Jonah’s second grade class who remain in awe of what a great experience our kids had (way back) in the second grade. They had a teacher who built a community, not just a class. They sang and did movement each morning together, on Fridays they recapped their weeks and talked about things they appreciated about the week and each other, they had dance parties, they talked about inclusivity, they held publishing parties whenever they finished a writing unit, and along the way, whether the kids realized it or not, they learned an astonishing amount –both academically and social/emotionally. A small group of us took her out recently to express our ongoing gratitude and to keep her in our lives.

We offered a party at Jonah’s school auction–a 7-course beer tasting modeled after one we attended last year. Last weekend we hosted 18 here for the event. The beer and the pairings were delicious, but the group who bought into the party and joined us was the secret sauce–a great group and a fun and yummy night.

Some fun occasions with friends–from NYE, to dinner with pals, to Lee’s birthday and prepping for the Women’s March–below are some snaps of recent gatherings here. We are just learning how to set-up for groups — kids downstairs and sit-down dinners for adults; dance parties and delicious food; creative spaces. We want our kids to grow up knowing the warmth of community in this house. We’re just figuring out how to do it, but we’re having a good time finding our way…

Beach days so far this spring/summer at San Gregorio, Muir, Stinson and Crown Memorial…and our littlest beach-goer is absolutely enamored with it. She has taken to asking every morning upon waking up, “bich mono?” (beach, tomorrow?). And she doesn’t just play on the beach, she wears it and eats it and loves it. The final photo is of her with her new sand toys, which she covets so much, she wouldn’t put them down in the car.